With Democratic leadership exploring funding options for our operations in Iraq, I think it’s important we continue to push for a plan that provides necessary resources for our brave men and women, while also providing a productive end to our involvement in Iraq.
I'm James Marlow and I'm a Democratic candidate running for Congress in Georgia to fill the seat vacated by Charles Norwood on June 19th. I will make it my top priority to bring our involvement in Iraq to an honorable end as quickly as possible.
As I’ve said before, our military has done its job - it won the war against Saddam Hussein’s armed forces four years ago, it removed his government from power, and it brought him to justice. The Bush Administration, however, failed to plan for the day after the war was won, and our brave men and women in uniform are still putting themselves at risk every day because of it.
On June 19, Georgia voters will decide whether to end the war by voting for me or to stay stuck in somebody else's civil war for years to come by voting for one of my Republican opponents who blindly support the President's position.
How do we convince Republican Congressmen to break with the President, and signal to the Democratic leadership that the nation wants action now? How do we get them to support an honorable end to our involvement in Iraq as quickly as possible?
Organizing helps. But nothing will change the calculus in Washington more than a strong showing of support for my campaign – because if voters in my red district embrace a common-sense Democratic candidate like me who is explicitly calling for an end to this war, then all Republican incumbents who support the President's position on the war are in trouble.
Electing me will send the message that the Republicans in Congress need to break with the President and side with the American people. It will signal to other Congressional Democrats that the American people want them to act to bring this war to an honorable end as soon as possible.
This is a special election, and under Georgia law, it's a non-partisan race. The top-two candidates will advance to a runoff election later this summer if no candidate earns a majority of the vote. I'm grateful for the support of almost every elected Democrat in the district, and we need to make sure that I make it to the runoff.
Join with me as we change the calculus on Iraq this month and show that the President is out-of-touch on Iraq. Our campaign needs to raise $3,000 this week, and I'm counting on the netroots to step up for our shared campaign. Please donate if you can, and if you live anywhere near Northeast Georgia, please come by the campaign office in Athens (map here). We need your energy, your enthusiasm, your dollars and your hours to show that this common-sense message will resonate in Georgia.
(Once again, our ActBlue page can be found right here.)
Elections have consequences and the next election between now and September that can change the calculus for congressional incumbents everywhere is in Northeast Georgia on June 19. Help me end this war by participating in our $3,000 one-week challenge today.
Thanks for reading and all that you do.
Yours,
James Marlow